Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-10-22
AS a second requisite / woul,


name FIrmness, together with a
third which / shall call Kindness.
Some teachers, Judging from their
actions in the school room, seem to
think that these terms are in direct
opposition to each other. They can
not.reprimand without doing it in a
hasty and insulting manner. They
can not punish without public ex-
hibition of wrath, anger aud malice.
They can not even meet the offend
ing pupil in the class room without
showing by word or action that his
offense is unforgOtten aad unfor-
given. And thus the scholar in.
stead of being benefited BY the re-
proof or correction is made worse;
and wound perhaps inflicted that
time itself can not heal. Now / hold
that firmness and kindness are not
contradictory terms; but that if pro-
perly understood they go hand IN
hand, and that it should be the aim
OF every teacher, while he is positive
in the enforcement of his rules and
regulations, at the same time, to be
pleasant and courteous with his pu-
pills in all his dealings with them.
One word uttered in finn, calm,
determined tone of voice is worth
one hundred spoken in anger and
malice.
One punishment imposed with
smile of the teacher resting upon
the scholar is worth a score inflicted
with accompanying threats and
cruel epithets.
One sentence appealing to the
hearts and feelings of the pupil is
worth lifetime of vituperative ran.
cor and bitter denuncIations.
Students soon learn to dislike the
Instructor who is grabbed and spite
ful with them; and they soon learn
to esteem him who is firm and posi-
tive with them and who in his re-
proof aims at the crime and not at
the criminal, for they see in the very
manner in which the chastisement is
administered, and the kindly way in
which they are met in the class room
after reproof has been given, that it
has all been done for their good,
their advancement, and their pros
perity.
The teacher who corrects in wrath
and in anger must sooner or later
lose the respect and even the control
of his scholars; but on the other
hand, he who is firm yet kind, who
is positive yet pleasant, will grow
daily in the esteem and admiration
of his pupils, until at last, they will
stand around him strong wall of
defense, ready to obey him at his
call, and anxious to cheer and CON-
fort him in the performance Of his
duties.
The fourth and last requisite that
l shall name is Ability. Without
sufficient knowledge of the
branches usually taught in our pub.
lie schools, or without ability to I'M.
press upon the minds Of others that
which he has acquired, teacher be-
comes GAS a sounding brass, or
tinkling cymbal." 1t is a painful
truth that too many go forth as
graduates from our high schools,
with diplomas in their hands but
without education sufficient to sue
cessfully engage in the profession of
teaching. In fact the paramount
idea with great many students
seems to be, not so much to acquire
a good and substantial education, as
to graduate and receive their diplo-
mas; and thus hundreds every year
are sent out from our institutions of
learning under the name of teachers
and instructors; when, in reality,
they are quacks aud imposters, des-
tined not only to make failures of
themselves, but also to bring re-
preach upon the school from which
they are graduated.
In this progressive and enlighten.
ed age scholars soon detect lack of
ability on the part of the teacher,
and when he is once weighed in
the balance and found wanting" it
is almost impossible for him ever
| again to regain the confidence and
support of the people. 1t is, there
fore, of the very greatest import
ance that every prospective teacher
thoroughly prepares himself for the
arduous work which lies before him !;
and that he should never enter the
school-room, as teacher, until he
knows that he is fully qualified for
the performance of bis duties.
Tue above are some of the leading
requisites that distinguish every true
and model teacher. 1t may be diff
cult, perhaps impossible, to find a
teacher who possesses, in a full
measure, all of these admirable and
essential ntsnfcharacter- meyer.